Lexmark International Inc. is seeking software developers to create applications for some of its business printers, a move the company hopes will increase competition with industry leader Hewlett-Packard Co.

Lexmark plans to open an app store and release specialized tools that allow developers to create apps for four of its printers, which have touchscreens and Internet connections. The company says the goal is to expand the capabilities of its devices in the same way other companies have expanded the functionality of cellphones and cars by adding apps.

“Content for printers has largely been limited to the world that you see on a PC,” said Todd Hamblin, a Lexmark marketing executive. “Now, they’re going directly to the Internet without a computer.”